A pony driver was often the first job given to young lads starting out in the mines. Their role? To guide the pit ponies—small, sturdy horses that pulled heavy tubs of coal through the underground tunnels.
The ponies spent 50 weeks of the year underground, in stables with brick-paved walkways and wooden stalls. They wore harnesses, skull pads to protect them from the low ceilings, and limmers gear to drag huge loads.
In those dark tunnels, strong bonds formed. The lads and ponies became inseparable—companions facing a harsh world together. Some ponies were known for their cheeky personalities, nudging their drivers for treats like jam butties, plums, or even jelly babies.
By 1978, only 149 ponies were still working, and a few stayed in service into the 1990s. Their time has passed, but their story lingers: a life of hard work, resilience, and the quiet companionship between miner and pony.
A reminder that even in the toughest places, loyalty and care can light up the darkness.
